As an influx of tourists reached Tuktoyaktuk this summer, the community found itself yearning for better infrastructure to accommodate visitors.
At the legislative assembly Oct. 12, MLA Herb Nakimayak asked if the GNWT could help improve tourism infrastructure in Tuktoyaktuk to accommodate a “mad rush” of visitors.
“The community has stepped up with whatever capacity they had to work with. The GNWT did offer some support with small pots of funding, but the community is looking for something bigger, like an RV park and a campground within or close to the community,” he said.
Tuktoyaktuk is in need of a larger visitors centre and other attractions to give visitors an opportunity to connect with community members and “sit, talk and learn from each other,” said Nakimayak.
As the road opened, there was considerable chatter in the media and an orchestrated campaign by GMC and Chevrolet, that launched a campaign featuring a drive to Tuktoyaktuk.
“This promotion has brought a lot of media coverage, helping Tuktoyaktuk become advertised around the world. This is good news, but it may bring an influx of tourism that could overwhelm the community,” he said.
Tuktoyaktuk needs to be able to provide good tourism experiences, but needs assistance to ensure it has the infrastructure to do so, he said.
Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Wally Schumann said over 5,000 people visited the community this summer.
The GNWT committed $42,000 for a feasibility study for a cultural centre, but it wants to assess the community's needs and ensure a project is “entrepreneur-driven,” said Schumann.
“The Government of Northwest Territories cannot do everything for everyone. There's a lot of opportunity around tourism and things going up forward,” he said.
There has been some confusion about whether people and the hamlet want to develop an RV park, said Schumann.
“We are in a situation in Tuktoyaktuk that there's almost an overwhelming opportunity,” he said.
Nakimayak also asked for funding for a full-time tourism co-ordinator, but Schumann said the GNWT has to decide what communities it wants to apply tourism funding to.
ITI will make a decision on where to apply funding after a stakeholder meeting for communities across the territory ahead of the next tourism season.
– Avery Zingel
Inuvialuit Development Corporation steers clear of pot sales
The Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) will not sell marijuana products, for fear of trouble at the U.S. Border for its shareholders.
“Due to borders and customs laws within the United States, entry and exit of anyone associated with distribution of licensed marijuana could possibly be denied entry into the United States,” said MLA Herb Nakimayak.
Inuvialuit travel back and forth to meet relatives in Alaska and the lower 48 and has to “evaluate all aspects” before it would reconsider cannabis sales, said Nakimayak.
Inuvaluit “co-manage in every aspect of conservation to enrich the culture and lifestyles of our harvesters and utilize our Indigenous knowledge, building a knowledge system that improves the quality of livelihoods and culture,” he said.
The sale of cannabis as a licensed product would affect the IDC Board, the Inuvaluit Regional Corporation Board and all staff associated with a licensed facility.
– Avery Zingel